Apple has trained a large language model tailored for the Chinese market, with Alibaba providing training support, according to a Reuters report cited by ABMedia. The setup would move Apple away from a model that had leaned on Chinese domestic providers, and, if approved, could make it the first foreign company cleared by Beijing to offer its own AI model in China. Apple Intelligence is expected to roll out in the country through an iOS update in the coming months.
Alibaba support and a China-only model plan
In the U.S., Apple uses a structure that combines its own technology with external AI models. That model does not transfer directly to China because services such as ChatGPT and Claude are unavailable there. Reuters said Apple is now developing a China-specific model with Alibaba’s help, aiming to enter the local AI market under a structure built for the country’s rules.
The report described the strategy as a dual-track deployment of Apple’s own model and local models. That, in turn, could help Apple get past regulatory barriers that have blocked many U.S. technology companies in China, while potentially putting it in position to become the first foreign company authorized to offer its own AI model in the market.
Apple Intelligence said to have passed China’s filing review
ABMedia, citing Reuters, said Apple Intelligence for on-device use had passed China’s filing review for generative AI services last month. To meet Chinese rules on training data and content review, the China version of Apple Intelligence is expected to integrate Alibaba’s Tongyi Qianwen and Baidu technology across Apple’s product line, including the iPhone and Mac.
There is still visible caution around the rollout. Apple briefly published Chinese-language instructions last week showing how Macs could connect to Tongyi Qianwen, then removed them shortly afterward. The report said the incident suggested Apple is trying to move into the AI PC segment while still operating under a sensitive regulatory environment and unresolved partnership terms. Apple has not released a firm launch schedule or a complete feature list.
Market share recovery puts focus on AI features
The report said iPhones sold in China had been at a disadvantage because they lacked AI features, pushing some consumers toward Chinese smartphone brands with built-in AI assistants. More recently, Apple’s position in the market has improved. IDC data cited by ABMedia showed Apple’s market share in China rose to 18.1% from 13.9%, placing it behind Huawei at 22.6%, even though China’s smartphone shipments fell for a fifth consecutive quarter.
IDC said the key question now is whether AI features can lift consumer willingness to buy new devices and help Apple defend its market share in China. The research firm also said the next meaningful upgrade cycle in China’s smartphone market will depend on how well hardware, operating systems, ecosystems, and on-device large models are integrated. It placed that recovery window in 2028 to 2029.
Apple has not confirmed the report
It remains unclear how Apple would divide responsibilities between Tongyi Qianwen, Baidu, and any in-house model work, or how those systems would operate together. Apple has not publicly responded, according to the report.